Naomi Seldon

Celebrating the Life of Naomi Seldon

There is no night without a dawning

No winter without a spring

And beyond the dark horizon

Our hearts will once more sing ….

For those who leave us for a while

Have only gone away

Out of a restless, care worn world

Into a brighter day . . . Helen Steiner Rice

Naomi was the third child born to the union of John Van and Mary Staton in Philadelphia, PA on January 31, 1930. Naomi joined John, Jr, and Mary Louise, and later her younger siblings, Helen and William.

Naomi attended Philadelphia public schools, studied piano and became an excellent vocalist. She was proud of singing in a high school talent show at Overbrook High School when she graduated in 1948. Naomi was also dedicated to her church and accompanied the church choir. In her late teens she would also accompany the celebrated Clara Ward Singers for a short time.

In 1950 Naomi married her high school sweetheart Sgt. Alfred E. Sisco, and to this union were born Dolores Victoria, Diane Marie, Alfred, Jr (who preceded her in death), and Frank John.

In the late 1950s, Naomi left Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri when Alfred was stationed in Berlin, Germany to be near her father John Van and eldest sister Mary Louise in Detroit, Michigan. There she found work in a dentist office as a receptionist and sang occasionally at Detroit’s premier Black jazz club the Twenty Grand often sharing the stage with Lou Rawls and her cousin Dakota Staton.

Naomi remained dedicated to helping the Veterans of Foreign Wars as a hostess at the James Europe Post in Detroit where she was always known as “Sisco” and made many friends. She also worked at Detroit’s Phelps Lounge where she would invite many entertainers to the house for home-cooked meals.

In 1970, Naomi married Lawrence Carl Seldon and would later become a devoted member of Greater Grace Apostolic Church. As a choir member, she would always relish singing for and meeting the late Nelson Mandela on his visit to Detroit in 1990.

After retiring from Beaumont Hospital in 1991, she and Lawrence rebuilt their dream home in Grass Lake, Michigan where she loved entertaining a host of friends and relatives. Naomi also enjoyed visiting her extended family members in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother leaves behind her children, stepson Lawrence, Jr., granddaughters: Desiree Nichole, and Matlynn Helena. Great-grandchildren: Chynna Marie, Ijumaa Shabaka, Jr., Charise Victoria, Lamont Charles, Jr., Ava Naomi, and Amelia Maxine. Great-great grandchildren: Makayla Joi and Maleah Jenaye.  Nieces: Linda, Sharon, Cynthia, Regina, Jennifer, Charletta, Saretha, Patricia, Rita, Latasha, Frances, and nephews: Jay Sr., Ricky, Carl, Billy and Gino.

Naomi also leaves behind a host of extended family members, close friends and acquaintances.

If I should go tomorrow

If I should go tomorrow

It would never be goodbye,

For I have left my heart with you,

So don’t you ever cry.

The love that’s deep within me,

Shall reach you from the stars,

You’ll feel it from the heavens,

And it will heal the scars.